#SMSocial18, Avocado Contest & our Pregnancy Cravings

This post is sponsored by Aguacates Frescos – Saborea Uno Hoy®, however all opinions shared here are our own.

When my sister and I were pregnant we were always looking for healthy food options. One of our favorite go-to foods was definitely avocados. We would put it in our smoothies, layer it on top of our toast and would even chop it up and put it in our caldo de pollo (that’s sounds real good right now, btw). We love it so much, we now feed it to our kids - even Zixta - and they enjoy it as much as we do.

Fresh avocados are a great option for expecting mamas. The Academy of Nutrition & Dietetics lists avocados as a healthful fat that can help women achieve a balanced diet and have a healthy pregnancy. Healthy avocados contain naturally good fats which are known to be important for normal growth and development of the baby’s central nervous system and brain. Plus, fresh avocados provide a good source of folate per serving which is important for developing a baby’s brain function and reducing the risk for premature births and birth defects.

Cravings tend to come out of nowhere and be overpowering so best to have a plan in place. Our friend, Registered Dietitian Sylvia Meléndez-Klinger is a spokesperson for Aguacates Frescos – Saborea Uno Hoy and explains “Stock[ing] your kitchen with nutrient-rich items that are versatile, satisfying and can save you from tempting unhealthy options. Avocados are a good source of fiber so each bite helps you stay feeling full longer. Try this new recipe for Cuban-style Grilled Salmon with Avocado, Baby Tomato and Herb Salsa. The avocado’s creaminess pairs nicely with the salmon, one of the richest sources of DHA and EPA. Visit Saborea Uno Hoy’s Avocados, Pregnancy & Babies page for more information on how to incorporate fresh avocados into your daily diet.”

For all you pregnant super mamas out there with the same love (and crave) for avocados, we have a very special contest opportunity for you sisters taking place on Instagram now until May 30th. In the ABC’s of Prenatal Nutrition- Avocados, Bellies & Cravings contest you can share why you’re eating avocados during your pregnancy for a chance to win prizes. The late night avocado toast or guac and chips snack that we all love will help you win big. You’re already posting pics about it, why not enter?

The winner of the contest gets a $500 gift card to BuyBuyBaby and Love One Today® diaper bag filled with baby gear. The five runner ups receive a Love One Today® diaper bag + baby gear. ☺This is a total Oprah moment.

Here is how to enter:

• POST* a photo of your avocado craving on Instagram during the month of May and tell us why you’re eating avocados during your pregnancy
• TAG the photo with #LoveOneTodayMom and #contest
  • *Account must be visible to public in order to be part of the photo gallery.
  • *Participant must be on their journey to motherhood.
  • *Participants are responsible for properly disclosing sponsored contest entry, in accordance with FTC Endorsement Guides (e.g. #contest).
  • *For full Terms & Conditions, please click here.

Also, be sure to visit our nursing cabana this year for some delicious avocado paletas sponsored by Aguacates Frescos – Saborea Uno Hoy and Gourmaletas. Take a pic, share it on Instagram and enter the contest!

See you all there!

Keynote Panel at SM Social ’18

Every year we try to outdo ourselves by bringing you the ultimate Super Mamá experience and we definitely accomplished that this year! We are beyond honored to hold a special Keynote Panel at #SMSocial18 with our ultimate mom crush….

Marcela Valladolid is an Emmy nominated celebrity chef, lifestyle personality, designer, author and businesswoman.  She most recently appeared as a co-host on the Emmy nominated show “The Kitchen” for the Food Network and will next be seen as a celebrity budget in the second season of “Best Baker In America” for the Food Network which premieres May 7th.  Her last book, CASA MARCELA, was a national best seller and she is currently working on her 4th book “Fiestas at Casa Marcela."

We absolutely LOVE Chef Marcela and we can’t wait to talk discuss all the incredible projects she’s working on and get to know her a bit more. We’ll be talking about her career as a chef, the impact her own mother had on her love for cooking and she’ll also be sharing with us an exclusive Mother’s Day recipe. 

THANK YOU to our sponsor AT&T for making our dreams come true! It’s true what they say; if you set your intentions it will manifest itself into the world. 

For all the Super Mamás dying to meet her, you will get the opportunity at AT&T’s corner. Not only will you meet and snag a pic with Chef Marcela, she will also be giving away 10 signed books! Are you excited yet? 

If you haven’t bought your ticket, now’s the time! Check us out on SuperMamaSocial.com

Super Mamás Social '18 #OOTD Inspo

Sisters! As moms we barely have time to get ready in the mornings, but not on May 12th (or even the rest of Mother's Day weekend)! Use this weekend before the social as an opportunity to treat yourself and shop for some special pieces.

We always need some #OOTDInspo so we partnered with Mari Salinas, from @VayaconFashion to bring you outfits to slay in at the #SMSocial18.  Use these boards as guidelines to your perfect outfit .

See you all on Saturday, May 12th! Buy tickets here.

1. Maternity Ellie Stripe Strappy Midi Bodycon Dress 2. Millie Tiered Tassel Earrings 3. Maternity Lauren Ruffle Off The Shoulder Midi Dress 4. Anna Fringe Trim Wrap Sandals 5. Lucy Sparkle Aztec Clutch

1. Women's Plus Size Monterey Pocket V-Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt & Women's Plus Size Tie Front Wide Leg Jeans 2. Women's Julisa Slide Sandals with a Bow - Mossimo Supply Co.™ 3. Missguided Plus Twist Front Polka Dot Dress 4. Cut Out Straw Tote Handbag - A New Day™ 5. Converse White Leather High Top Sneakers 6. Warehouse Straw Sun Hat

1. Bar III Printed Wide-Leg Pants 2. Molly Cropped One-Shoulder Flounce Top 3. RACHEL Rachel Roy Paper Bag Tapered Trousers 4. RACHEL Rachel RoyCotton Frayed-Edge Denim Top 5. Calvin Klein Women's Rivita Flat Sandals 6. Steve Madden Donddi Flat Sandals 7. I.N.C. Haili Extra-Large Convertible Backpack

1. BP. Button Front Dress 2. BAUBLEBAR Sonatina Tassel Earrings 3. LEITH Racerback Shift Dress 4. Quinn Linked Earrings 5. Nike Air Max 270  6. CASLON Darcie Slide Sandal

1. STRIPED BERMUDA SHORTS/ SHIMMERY TOP WITH SCALLOPED TRIMS /  2. EARRINGS WITH CHAIN FRINGING 3. CHECK LINEN DRESS 4. HIGH HEEL LEATHER SANDALS WITH RIBBON 5. WHITE SNEAKERS 6. FLORAL TOTE BAG

Super Mamás Social '18 Vendors

Every single year we make it a point to fill our marketplace with the best brands for you all to enjoy and of course, the best food. This year our marketplace will be turned into a Pop-Up Alley where you can visit each vendor with ease and comfort.

Here are the amazing brands you all love (and will soon be OBSESSED with) joining us this year: 

Viva La Bonita

Planta

Cha Cha Covers

MexiconsArt

The Designing Chica

Fúchila Fresheners

Vianney Méndez

Little Dancer

Lil' Libros

Lil Be

After you pick up your delicious lunch from Toma Leche you can purchase some delicious dessert from our food vendors: 

Gourmeletas

Piece of Cake by Angie

Love Swirls

AND enjoy complimentary I Love Micheladas all day long 

Super Mamás Social 18’ - What to Expect

Hi Sisters! We are SUPER excited for you to join us at this year’s #SMSocial18. Our Super Mamás team has been working extremely hard to bring you all the experience of a lifetime. We wanted to give you a sneak peak of what to expect and help you plan your day: 

Once you arrive, park your stroller and hand your “keys” off to Ergo at their Stroller Valet. They’ll also be lending out limited amount of omni 360 carriers for you to enjoy the event hands-fee. #PonteTrucha

Schedule your appointment to get your triple B’s (braids, blowouts & brows) done & visit Cha Cha Covers for your favorite nail decals. Check her out on IG @chachacovers for some inspo.

Pamper yourself with high-end beauty products while your kids turn pages in Target's Bilingual lounge. If you happen to leave your diaper bag at home, don’t worry- Target will have your back with a nursing and changing station with lots of goodies. Get ready to celebrate all of our #TARGETMAMAWINS!  

Our wonderful friends of Toma Leche will have your back this year in our picnic area, providing lunch and cold milk for all of our attendees.  They will also have the cutest lunch totes for you to take home with you.   

Mother’s Day weekend is filled with that special 4-letter word. Be sure to say it loud & proud and write it BIG on Munchkin’s Love Wall. 

Take a snack break with McDonald’s and enjoy delicious crisp apples and parfaits. We’re definitely Lovin’ it. 

Sip on a cold-pressed Suja Juice (our favorite is Glow) while you and your kids enjoy a succulent planting workshop. Imagine succulents on your windowsill or office desk 👌🏽 👌🏽 👌🏽

Attention Mamas! Stock up on free parenting resources like bilingual children's storybooks and healthy and fun cookbooks, while your little ones color special crowns and browse First 5 California's book nook.  Also, be sure to join their special story time and dance party session; First 5 California  will be giving away copies of their latest book along with fun maracas! #talkreadsing

Don’t miss your photo opp with Delta and snag your paper plane- beautiful things grow out of unexpected places *wink*wink*

Sit & relax in our lush Expecting Mommy Cabana while you enjoy complimentary paletas from Gourmaletas in partnership with the Saborea Uno Hoy.  They will also have a special treat for all of our  mommies - to - be (hint, it includes the word rub and feet)  

IG posting, IG story’ing and Snapchatting take a lot from your battery- be sure to keep that phone charged at AT&T’s charging station to avoid any missed moments! Such as your opportunity to meet & greet the one and only, Chef Marcela!

For all the super papas out there, don’t worry- we got you covered. Visit our Super Papa Arcade and play your all-time favorite arcade games like Street Fighter, Pac Man and more. 

We’re also introducing our Niño Square, where kids can enjoy being kids. They’ll be climbing, running, tumbling and laughing all day long.

With so many great activities going on, make sure to be present in the moment. This day is for YOU! Enjoy this as much as you can, sisters. 

Wondering about our awesome vendors and food options? Click here. Also, have a question? Visit our FAQ page here.

Do Good, Feel Good

Thank you to Warner Bros. for sponsoring this post.  Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang have teamed up with generationOn, the youth family division of Points of Light, to Thank you to Warner Bros. for sponsoring this post.  Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang have teamed up with generationOn, the youth family division of Points of Light, to inspire, equip and mobilize kids, parents and Scooby-Doo fans to create meaningful change in their communities.

A few months back I received an email from my three-year-old’s school telling us that the kids were going to do street trash clean-up to start teaching environment awareness.  In my mind, I thought “how cute” but in all honesty I didn’t think Sabina would get it, little did I know that after that day she would made it her mission to pick up all the trash she sees in the street because as she says, “we have to love our planet.” Yes, she is so right!

Hace algunos meses, recibí un correo de la escuela de Sabina, mi hija de 3 anos, donde me decíanque los niños iban a tener un día donde iban a recoger basura en la calle, para empezar a aprender acerca de cuidar nuestro medio ambiente.   En mi mente, yo pensé que era algo súper lindo, pero honestamente no pensé que Sabina entendería el concepto.  ¡Nunca me hubiera imaginado que después de ese día, ella iba  tener la costumbre y misión de recoger cualquier basurita que viera en la calle, por que como ella dice, “tenemos que salvar el planeta,” ¡Y la verdad es que tiene mucha razón!

Ever since, I have been finding ways to get both her and Krista more involved and educated on the subject, so I was super happy when I was invited to join Scooby-Doo and generationOn, on the #DooGood Campaign where they make it their mission to get kids, parents and fans involved into taking action to create meaningful change in the community. 

Desde entonces, he estado tratando de encontrar maneras para que tanto Krista como ella, estén mas involucradas y educadas en el tema, así que me alegro mucho haber sido invitada a unirme a la campaña #DooGood de Scooby-Doo y generationOn, donde su misión es hacer que todos los niños, padres y fans se involucren y tomen acción para crear un cambio significativo en la comunidad.

A few Sundays ago, Krista and I got to participate in a full day Mystery Mission. That morning we got together with other kids and parents and we were picked up by the Mystery Machine. We then were taken to a secret location where we were received by Scooby-Doo himself!   We figured out we were at a local Middle School and our mission was to help a group of Farm Rangers build an edible garden for the students of Mid-City Prescott School.  Krista was super excited and jumped right into it.  I was super surprised of how much she can do now, she wasn’t afraid of picking up a shovel to fill out a wheelbarrow with horse fertilizer, then she jumped to pulling out weeds from the dirt, she learned how to plant different seeds and she even got to practice some team work skills while planting a whole tree in the ground with other kids and Scooby-Doo!

Hace algunos domingos, Krista y yo participamos en una súper Misión Misteriosa.  Esa mañana fuimos recogidos junto con otros papas y niños en la Maquina Misteriosa nos llevaron a una locación secreta, ¿y saben quién nos recibió? ¡Scooby Doo! Nos dimos cuenta de que estábamos en una escuela local donde nos dieron la misión de ayudar a un grupo de voluntarios a sembrar un jardín comestible para losestudiantes de Mid-City Prescott School.  Krista estaba súper emocionada y no dudó en ponerse en acción.  ¡La verdad me sorprendió cuanto ya puede hacer ahora, no tuvo miedo a levantar una pala y llenar la carretilla de abono de caballo! De ahí se siguió a sacar toda la hierba de la tierra, ¡aprendió a sembrar diferentes semillas y hasta aprendió más acerca del trabajo en equipo cuando tuvo que plantar un árbol completo con otros niños y Scooby-Doo!

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The best thing about the whole experience was knowing that the next day the students would walk in to a whole new edible garden! They would now have the opportunity not only to learn about sustainability but they would eventually also enjoy the veggies the kids planted.  I also realized that change starts with a small action, the fact that we were lending a hand (and a paw) by doing something fun on a Sunday morning will have such a great impact on the environment and in our community. It is so great to know that Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Inc. Gang are leading the charge in taking the “mystery” out of helping the environment, there are many ways we can help solve the world’s environmental challenges with local action and you can too! 

¡Lo mejor de toda la experiencia fue saber que el día siguiente los estudiantes llegarían a disfrutar su nuevo jardín comestible!  Tendrían la oportunidad no solo de aprender acerca de la sustentabilidad, pero en un futuro no tan lejano también van a poder disfrutar de todos los vegetales que sembramos ese día.  También me di cuenta de que el cambio puede empezar con tan solo una pequeña acción, al estar echando una mano (o pata en el caso de Scooby-Doo) haciendo algo divertido en una mañana de domingo tendrá un impacto mucho más grande en el medio ambiente y en nuestra comunidad.  Es increíble saber que Scooby-Doo y el Mystery Inc. Gang están al frente de remover el “misterio” de cómo ayudar al medio ambiente, hay muchísimas maneras en las que todos podemos ayudar a solucionar los retos ambientales con acción local, ¡y tú también puedes ayudar!

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If you are wondering how you can help visit HEREto join the gang and take action! From recycling to, creating your own garden, to even grabbing a few friends and organizing a local beach clean-up. We are super inspired by this campaign and we have already signed up for more activities like these in school. If we all do our part together there is no issue we can’t solve.  

Si te preguntas como puedes ayudar, visita AQUÍ para unirte a la pandilla y tomar acción. Desde proyectos de reciclaje o crear tu propio jardín, hasta juntar a algunos amigos y organizar un día de limpieza en la playalocal.  Nosotras quedamos súper inspiradas por la campaña y ya nos hemos apuntado para más actividades como esta en nuestras escuelas.  Si todos ponemos de nuestra parte, ¡no hay ningún problema que no podamos resolver!

To celebrate the campaign, we are giving away five (5) one-year Boomerang subscriptions! Laugh with all the cartoons you love, stream more than 2000 episodes with your favorite icons like Scooby-Doo, Bugs Bunny, Tom & Jerry and more! All you have to do is leave a comment below and share with me how you will #DoGood! The winners will be selected at random on May 8, 2018.

Para celebrar la campaña, estamos regalando cinco (5) subscripciones  de un año para Boomerang! Ríe con todas las caricaturas que te encantan, tienen más de 2000 episodios de tus personajes favoritos como Scooby-Doo, Bugs Bunny, Tom & Jerry ¡y más! Todo lo que tienes que hacer es dejar tu comentario en la parte de abajo y dime cómo vas a hacer el bien (#DooGood). Los ganadores serán seleccionados al azar el próximo 8 de mayo, 2018.

Thank you to Warner Bros. and Boomerang for providing these products. Giveaway open to adults 18+ based in the United States. Limited to one submission per person.

I was selected by Warner Bros. to participate in the Doo Good Campaign. The content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Win a Trip to #SMSocial18 with Delta

Pack your bags ladies, one of you is coming to LA!  One lucky Super Mama will be joining us on May 12th for this years Social.  Seriously, can we just take a moment. This is pretty wild. Never in a million years did we ever think we would get here.   Dream and Believe sisters, one of you will be flying into LA pretty soon! 

To enter, we are asking you all to upload your favorite #SuperMamasMoment on your stories.  Now, they have to be 15 sec or less, because you know, we are all moms and we got sh*t to do.  Make it your own, make it funny, emotional, but most important, keep it real.  

Thank you to our wonderful partner Delta.   Now let’s get to posting sisters!

THE PRIZE:

• Two Delta Vouchers ($1,000 value)
• Two night Hotel in Downtown LA
• 1 Super Mama Swag Ticket
• 1 Super Papa Ticket (or) 1 Super Mamas GA ticket

via GIPHY

HOW TO ENTER:

• Share a 15 sec #SuperMamasMoment on your IG Stories
• Tag @_SuperMamas and @Delta

via GIPHY

THE DETAILS

• Contest is open to Super Mama podcast listeners and subscribers
• You must be 18 years or older and a US resident to enter.
• You must submit via Instagram Stories
• Posts must be featured on your Instagram Stories for 24 hours.
• Participants must tag @Delta, and @_SuperMamas
• Participants must use these hashtags: #SuperMamasMoment #Contest.
• You may enter up to five times per day with original posts.
• All Entries must be posted by 11:59 p.m. ET on April 20, 2018 to be considered.

This is My New Normal

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Photo by @Lilyro_  Robe Kimono by @dmodamia  Krista 's top: @hm_kids    Skirt: @folklorebk   Sabina's Dress: @folklorebk    Zixta's Romper :@folklorebk  

By: Paulina Lopez-Velazquez @iampaulinalopez

A few days ago, i was looking through some pictures of me and the girls and it hit me, I am now the mother of THREE KIDS!! I know, what a breakthrough, right? But seriously, I think that everything has been so crazy after baby Zixta was born that I really haven’t stopped and take it all in.

The first few months are such a fog in my brain, i was so lost and broken that I just couldn’t or just didn’t even want to think about it.  i completely lost myself in the process of trying to hold on to my life before the baby. I wanted to be and feel “normal” again, I wanted control of my life. Get up and get going as it nothing had happened, after all I had been able to do it through my pregnancy. I had it all planned in my head, and nothing went according to plan. That drove me constantly crazy, I put so much stress on my body that I drove myself sick I retrieved from the world and increased my depression.

photo by @Lily_ro    Jacket by: @dmodamia

Those days are fading away slowly and each day things get better, I think I was too afraid of not being able to handle everything at the same time, work, home, my social life, friends etc.  And you know what, the truth is that I can’t.  At least not yet, and I’m learning to be ok with it. I have a new baby that needs me (or maybe I need her more), I have had to slow down and let go of trying to achieve perfection.  Every day is very different, some days go by easy, everyone cooperates and we make it on time to school, work, church or whatever commitment we have without any tears or fights. I find time to pick everyone’s clothes and do everyone’s hair (including mine) make color pancakes and even leave the house behind looking decent.  I might even squeeze in doing our grocery shopping with all three, or a quick trip to whatever fun event is happening around town (like really quick trips).  Wow I am a Super Mama!

But for real, most days are NOT like that, they are actually super crazy, there are fights and tears happening as early as 7 am.  I’m scrambling to get everyone ready and out the door with at least shoes on and a clean face, we have to take whatever I manage to throw on a paper plate to eat on the way while I barely brushed my teeth and put up my hair up on a pony tail.  If we have a commitment there is a 99% chance that I’m going to be late or even have to cancel.  When I do show I’m probably going to show up looking like someone is chasing me down the street.  I usually have milk stains on my clothes and realize that I don’t remember when was the last time I washed my hair or find myself asking, have I eaten today? When I’m running late, Zixta most likely will have a diaper explosion (no joke) or Sabina will spill food on her clothes, Krista will decide she must take that one toy we haven’t seen in days or she can’t remember where she put her homework 5 minutes ago.  Those days are hard, at the end of the day I am so spent that I put my head down and I’m gone in less than 3 seconds, with a dirty face, clothes and glasses on.

And this is my new normal, this is what my life looks like right now, it’s not super glamorous, but it is beautiful, its messy its crazy and I’m in love with it.  I realized that while I might not be accomplishing as much on my “professional side” I am accomplishing beyond what I would imagine at home.  We are making it work, creating a life that is worth everything.   My kids only see the good side, they have often told me that they have had the “best days ever” lately (even in the middle of a chaos.  And that is what I want my new normal life to be all about.

Photo by @Lily_ro   Robe Kimono by @dmodamia  Krista 's top: @hm_kids    Skirt: @folklorebk   Sabina's Dress: @folklorebk    Zixta's Romper :@folklorebk  

Eduardo’s 3rd Bday

Before you continue reading, let me first tell you that I am not big on kids bday parties.  So if you are here looking for Bday decor inspo or Bday themes, you can stop reading now. This post isn’t about how to go all out on your child’s 3rd Bday, but the complete opposite.  If you are the kind of mom who does a theme park every year to skip out on big bday parties, than this post is for you.

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This year Eddie turned 3 and my husband and I had planned to spend the entire weekend at Disney.  We thought it would be a hassle free way to celebrate his bday. But after looking at our budget, we quickly realized spending the night at Disney’s California Grand hotel was out of the question.  We decided to do California Adventure for Saturday and invite my sisters, brother and my husbands moms for an impromptu get together.

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I will say that my sons Bday was one of the most memorable days I’ve had with him.  I had so much fun with my siblings and the kids had a blast. The weather was beautiful, the food was great and everyone was chilled out.  I also loved having a photographer there, it allowed me to be more present and not worry so much about capturing that perfect Instagram moment.  It was the best decision ever! So what did I learn about this? I learned that all you need for a stress free Bday party are 5 things.

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1. Great Food - I Got party trays from Chichenitza and my sister brought cake from Paris Baguette

2. Create a simple Photo Backdrop - I Bought Balloons and hero masks from Party City

3. Be surrounded by the people you love talking to

4. Have enough space for the kids to run around.

5. Invest in a photographer - I had the fabulous Annie Vovan

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Now, I am not saying that there’s anything wrong with doing the most for bday parties.  I wish I had more of that gene in me. But if the hosting thing doesn’t come naturally to you, don’t stress.  Don’t let the Instagram and Pinterest world get to you and your stress levels. Relax and know that there’s no greater gift than spending quality time with your child.  Don’t do it for others, do it for your babies.

And who knows, maybe I will eat all my words and next year host the grandest bday bash ever.  But for now, just having these memories stored in my hear (and my dropbox folder) will do :)

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5 Tips to Staying in Love

Falling in love is easy, but staying in love requires effort. Our philosophy is that prioritizing our relationships is just as important as motherhood. But we know that is easier said than done when we have young children who need us constantly.

Here are our 5 quick tips on how to stay in love!

1) Keep Dating Each Other: As much as you can, try to keep date nights with each other. Bricia says, “My husband and I love going to the Yardhouse and watching a movie whenever we can.” Even if you can’t leave the house for a date often, you can have dinner and a movie at home when the kids are asleep. It’s also about taking time to surprise each other in small ways like, ordering take-out from their favorite restaurant. Remember how you acted in the beginning? Keep that magic going as the years go by. It’s about not taking each other and your love for granted.

2) Pick Your Battles: This is easier said than done. We know. But give your partner a break. No one likes to feel like they are being criticized by their partner constantly, so prioritize what you will express and when you will do it. We are not encouraging you to stay silent about things that bother you, but always make sure you express concerns respectfully and at the appropriate times. Keep in mind the things you love about your partner rather than focusing on the things you don’t like. That goes a long way. You can’t change the other person but you can change your attitude and perspective about the behavior you find irritating. 

3) Choose Joy: Remember before the kids, before the house needed work done? When it was just two people in love? Keeping that feeling is all about your choice and attitude. One of our sisters, @TwoPlusLuna, recently told us about how she has a daily dance with her husband and sometimes their daughter joins in on the fun too! We love the idea of reconnecting with your partner through joy on a daily basis.

4) Create Things to Love Forward To: The same way that you plan ahead for retirement, you should plan ahead for things that excite you as a couple. Whether it’s taking a weekend getaway, or even dreaming about the places you want to visit together. Having dreams that are just yours is one way to keep your connection strong! Again remember, that aside from being parents you are still a couple and once the kids are grown and gone you will still be lovers. 

5) Forgive, Forgive and then Forgive Some More: We believe that long lasting relationships are not accidental or a matter of being “meant to be.” They are the product of effort from both parties, a decision to work on your relationship every day. A choice to disagree respectfully, and to always prioritize your partner above everything else. Forgiveness, is an integral part of this as your partner is on his/her own journey of self-discovery too. Recognize that you aren’t perfect and always focus on the good aspects of your relationship. It may not always be easy but it will always be worth it!

Vision Board Posada 2017: : Presented by Munchkin

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We have been making Vision boards for years now.  The concept was first introduced to us by non-other than the Queen her self, Oprah.  And of course, when Oprah shares knowledge, all you can do is listen, learn and execute.  We hosted vision board parties at our home every year, inviting only a few close friends.  Everyone would bring magazines, wine and a few bites to eat.  We’d sit around the house, cutting and glue-ing away.  There was no right or wrong way to create your vision board, but all we said to our friends was this:

“Let your inner voice guide you because deep inside you know what sort of things are meant to be yours. Be bold, allow yourself to trust your inner voice and don’t over think.  Let the images call out to you, cut them and place them on that board.”

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We would then put that board anywhere we knew it would be visible to us every day.  The amount of visions that came true were magical.  And just like that, the idea of creating a Vision Board night for our Super Mamas sisters came to us the same way, like magic.  

Our first year, we presented the idea to Munchkin and they were absolutely ecstatic. They loved the idea and said YES right away.  We gathered 50 sisters and had the best of night.  This year, we knew we had to outdo ourselves.  We didn’t know how, but we did!  We called on our design hero @harlowplanning who created a design concept that we fell in love with.  We saw the night come together, again, like magic.

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On December 14th 2017, the magic flowed through the Munchkin Headquarters with 75 of our sisters again.  All of us worked on our 2018 vision boards, enjoyed the best food, connected with other sisters and left inspired, charged and ready to take on the new year.  We also presented our first-ever Super Mamas Sister of the Year Award.  We honored Dulce Candy because she was a catalyst in giving us the courage to take on this Super Mamas journey.  We have watched her videos for years and witnessed her career take off right before our eyes while always encouraging others (and us) to follow our own dreams.  She received the award and of course, there wasn’t one dry eye in the room.

This time around, we had some of our sisters share their vision boards.  Every single person in the room was moved.  There was a spirit present that is hard to explain, but in our hearts we knew everyone walked out certain of themselves and of what 2018 is bound to bring them. 

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Thank you all who joined us, the response was unbelievable.  The night sold out in less than three minutes!  If you couldn’t secure a spot, we encourage you to gather your friends and host your own vision board night. And please, keep us posted on visions that have come to fruition for you.  We love listening to your magic moments.  Here’s to a blessed 2018 sisters!!!

A few special shout outs to those who made this night a reality:

Presenting Sponsor : Munchkin

Sister Sponsor: Yoobi

Design/Planning @harlowplanning

Photography @lilyro_

Florals @floralsbyisabelle

Macrame design @theshiftcreative

Rentals @247events

Furniture @circarentals

CREATE OLD SCHOOL CRAFTS INTO HOLIDAY CARDS

We are all guilty of keeping every art project our toddlers bring home from preschool/kinder right?  We feel guilty to throw them away, yet we have no use for them.  Well, I have been getting in the habit of making my own greeting cards this year using Eddie’s old artwork.  I don’t remember where I first read about this, but it stuck in my head.  So this Holiday season, I wanted to share with you all this little trick I have been doing this past year.  Works great for any celebration, but for Christmas specially, family loves it!

All you are going to need is some recycled holiday ribbon, scissors, glue, jumbo color pencils, markers and/or holiday stickers.  I used a few of Yoobi’s decals that I had in my arts and crafts box.  Eddie loves to color over them and it gives the card a bit more character.   Making them is super easy.  

Just cut out any old artwork made from construction paper, fold it in half, and glue some holiday ribbon around the edges.  You can write directly inside the card, or you can cut out a blank square and glue it on the inside where your message will go.  In the front, simply write out “Happy Holidays”, or in my case, “Feliz Navidad”.  Yes, its that easy!  And trust me, everyone loves them!   

So this holiday season, save yourself some money on greeting card by making your own all while getting rid some of those old craft preschool projects while you are at it!

Super Mamas 2017 Holiday Gift Guide

The holiday season is here! This means it's also time for our Super Mamas Holiday Gift Guide! It's like Oprah's gift guide, except we want these things for ourselves too. Find something for everyone on your list in the suggestions we curated especially for our Super Mamas! We also took the time to highlight creations and suggestions by some of our favorite #mombosses.

Enjoy and don't forget to share with your friends and family. Don't forget to create your own wishlist too! Santa knows you were good this year. (wink, wink) 

1. Blankets from Sueño Shop - These blankets are a dream come true, warm, fuzzy and perfect to cuddle up with your babies and your honey after bedtime. Created by Natalia Koegen, these blankets pair authentic Mexican serapes with the softest sherpa. They are available and toddler and full size. Perfect gifts for the family. Purchase it here.

2. Hija de tu madre Bandera Jacket- Patty Delgado’s creations have been all over our Instagram feeds lately and we can’t get enough of them. We love this bandera jacket that is also available in kids size! But her shop Hija de Tu Madre features so many adorable items that celebrate the beauty of being immersed in two cultures. Find the jacket we love here.

3. Spanglish Threadz Bebe Pullover- This is the perfect shop for the kids in your life. These t-shirts will keep your childhood memories alive while promoting bilingualism. These bilingual bebe pullover is the perfect lightweight hoodie kids can wear alone or under a warmer jacket. Find it here and make sure to check out the rest of the selection.

4. Lil’Loteria from Lil' Libros- Our Super Mama faves Ariana Stein and Patty Rodriguez are at it again. This time with a new version of the game we all grew up with -Loteria. This bilingual game is child friendly, beautifully illustrated and will help you create new memories for years to come. Kids can play in English or in Spanish. This will be a hit at your family’s Christmas for sure! Get it here.

5. Sofia Boots from m4d3 Shoes - If shopping for a cause is your thing, look no further than the M4D3 shoe brand. For every pair of M4D3 Shoes purchased the company donates two books to underserved children. But you don’t have to compromise style either, we love the sofia boot which can be worn with your favorite jean, skirt or dress this winter. But you can also find shoes for every lifestyle from sneakers, to ballerina flats. Find our favorite boot here.

6. Yumi is a subscription based service that delivers 1000’s of fresh and organic fresh and organic baby meals to homes across the country. You can hear more of their story in one of our recent episodes. We tested the food ourselves and we actually couldn’t get enough! This is a perfect gift for an expectant or new mommy. They will be so grateful for you and Yumi. Learn more about their subscription delivery plans here.

7. Fuchila Fresheners- These fresheners tap into the nostalgia and icons of our culture through artwork and scents. Featuring conchas, luchadores, Frida and an array of cute designs we can’t get enough of these but our favorite “Viva Villa” was named after one of the most prominent figures of the Mexican revolution. Plus, the vanilla scent reminds us of the sweet deserts of our childhood. Perfect stocking stuffer!  Find it here

8. Westcoast Crewneck Sweater- Our girl Rachel Gomez the founder of Viva La Bonita wowed us with her story earlier this year. She is the epitome of #momboss. Her brand embodies her L.A style that is is also comfortable and easy to wear. Her collection of long sleeves, tees, and sweaters comes in sizes for every body type. She also carries a collection of bags, and accessories that will help you check off everyone on your list. Of course, we are Westcoast girls for life so this crewneck was our top pick.

9. Virgencita Crewneck Sweater- La virgen morena looks beautiful in a powder blue background in this Bella Dona crew neck sweater. You can also find cute Virgencita phone cases, t-shirts, and more great pieces from patches, to pins, to kids apparel. Style that makes a statement is just what we want from Santa Claus this year! Find our favorite sweater here.

10. Virgen Mexican Blanket- It rarely gets cold in L.A but that won’t stop anyone from rocking this Mexican sarape. Get this for those on your list who pull out their coats when it hits below 70 degrees. Find it here.

11. The Triangle Bralette from Wear Lively - We’ve told you how much we love these comfortable bralettes that you can wear under your favorite tank or tee. These bralettes will be your new go-to this Holiday season. Oh yeah, we forgot to mention you must get a few for yourself too! Check out our fave’s here

12. Oh so luxe Statement Earring gift set - For the fashionista in your life this box from Baublebar features two pairs of statement earrings in a ready to go gift box. All the thoughtfulness without the hassle. These will also pair well with all the comfy leggings you will wear while you chase your kids at the park. Find them here.

13. Tre Pink Studio Sweden Earbuds- Tired of your headphone cable getting tangled at the bottom of your purse? We have the perfect solution, these pink, wireless earbuds are cute, functional and are designed so you can still hear outside noises. Once you gift these to yourself and to all your mom friends there will be no reason to miss one single episode of the Super Mamas podcast! Get them here.

14. Red Roses Mesh Socks- Socks used to be considered a boring gift, but these red roses socks are the exception to the rule. These are cute, comfortable socks that will please everyone on your list. Pick from an assortment of designs. Find them here.

15. Mary Carillo is a Super Mama we met earlier this year who got us into Doterra oils that can be used for everything from preventing illnesses to calming fussy babies. We are obsessed! Great gift for your tia who is into remedios caseros! You can get started with the basic kit here.

16.Essential Oil Diffuser - Now that you have your oils you need a diffuser. We love to diffuse the scent of lavender after a long day. It comes with an LED light and is perfect for your nightstand. Get it here.

17. Wish by WeVibe - You all remember our sex-ed episode with Samara Fabrick right? In it, we spoke about sex toys and the importance of reaching sexual freedom.  Well, we couldn't close out our gift guide without adding our favorite toy of the year. Gift it to your bestie, she'll thank you.  Trust us.  

Happy Shopping!

Tell us what you loved in the comments! 

Celebrate Family this Thanksgiving with Disney-Pixar's COCO

Photos by LilyRo

Earlier this month we had the opportunity to watch Disney-Pixar’s COCO along with a few very lucky Super Mamas! The film premiered in Mexico on the Day of the Dead to much acclaim and celebration. The film opens today in the United States and we give it enthusiastic Super Mama thumbs up! 

The movie has an amazing Latino cast that includes Gael-Garcia Bernal, Edward James Olmos, and Anthony Gonzalez. It is full of Mexican folklore and depicts the Day of the Dead a tradition that is very special to many of us in a beautiful way. Director Lee Unrich delivered a visual masterpiece of color and beauty that evokes memories of our childhood celebrating the day of the dead. The story written by Adrian Molina who was also a co-director tells a story that honors the history and importance of the holiday for families like ours.

The film tells the story of Miguel Rivera, a boy growing up in the town of Santa Cecilia, Mexico who wants to play the guitar and sing but is part of a family who has banned music. His ancestor Mama Imelda instituted a ban on music because of a great-great-grandfather who abandoned the family to be a musician. The name of the film “COCO” comes from Miguel’s great grandmother Coco who is elderly and increasingly losing her memory, except for when she speaks of her father.

But Miguel is keeping a secret from his family. Despite the family ban on music, he longs to sing and perform, he teaches himself with the music of deceased singer Ernesto de La Cruz and learns some of his greatest hits, including the song that frames the movie, “Remember Me.” He longs to be a musician like his idol despite his family's objections.

He develops a plan to sing at the plaza on the day of the dead but when his family finds out they destroy his guitar. It is then he sneaks into the mausoleum of his idol Ernesto and steals his guitar. On the day of the dead you are supposed to give to the dead not take away from them and so his actions set off a curse that sends him to the land of the dead.

This is when the movie gets even better. 

He takes us to the land of the dead where we are treated to a visual treat filled with color, animation and vivid imagery. Miguel is soon reunited with his deceased ancestors including the family matriarch Mama Imelda, it is here he learns more about the history of his family and the ban on music. 

Eventually, Miguel teams up with Hector a man who cannot cross over into the land of the living on the day of the dead because no one is displaying his photo. Hector pledges to help Miguel lift the curse so he can return to the land of the living and in exchange Miguel promises to bring his picture with him and display it in his altar. They set off on a musical adventure that will mesmerize kids and adults alike! The featured song, “Remember Me” ties together the central theme of the movie, that those who have left us live on in our memories. They even run into characters you might recognize like Frida Kahlo, Pedro Infante, and even Miguel’s idol Ernesto De La Cruz!

The original music and renditions of classics like La Llorona transported us back to our childhood’s in Oaxaca and we could not be more proud of this movie. Seeing our culture highlighted in this way was a moving experience for us and for the Super Mamas who joined us at our screening in Los Angeles.

Anyone will relate to the tale of piecing together their family history while trying to find their own way in the world. Bring tissues, bring abuelita and bring your kids. This has already sparked some beautiful conversations with our own family about love and honoring our ancestors.

Thank You Disney-Pixar for this film. We can’t think of a better way to spend Thanksgiving.

Thank you to all the Super Mamas who attended our special screening!

Tells us your favorite part of the movie in the comment section below!

Disney-Pixar's COCO: A Love Story to Mexico and Day of the Dead

Getty's Images used with Permission from Disney-Pixar

We were invited to attend the Global Press Conference for Disney-Pixar's 'Coco' at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. We were so blessed to be there and hear directly from the cast and makers including living legend, Edward James Olmos, and Super Papacitos Gael Garcia Bernal and Benjamin Bratt It was an emotional event that began with traditional folklorico dancers and a mariachi performance.

The film’s director Lee Unkrich called the movie “a love letter to Mexico.” He addressed the extensive research that went into making sure that they treated the film topic with respect by traveling to Mexico numerous times and spending time with families that celebrate the Day of the Dead. Care was taken into every element of the film from set designs, to the depiction of the Day of Dead celebrations and even the music that accompanies the film. Benjamin Bratt who lends his voice to one of the main characters of the film talked about referencing Mexican legends like Pedro Infante, and Jorge Negrete for his larger than life character Ernesto De La Cruz.

Getty's Images used with Permission from Disney-Pixar

Edward James Olmos expressed that when he first met with Unkrich,  Producer Darla Anderson, and writer Adrian Molina he wasn’t sure what to expect but that as a Mexican man he felt that they were treating the theme and culture with the respect it deserved. He added, “I could not be more proud of the film which I know is going to have impact around the world and make people of all cultures reflect on how they honor the memory of those who came before them.” Edward’s character (insert name) has a brief but important appearance as it is through him that we learn the true significance of “Dia de Muertos.” For Olmos he said this one scene is, “one of his proudest moments in the art form.”

Members of the press asked about what message they felt they wanted the film to give young kids. Alanna Ubach who plays the role of the matriarch, Miguel’s great-great-grandmother Mamá Imelda explained that she is so excited to share this film with her own child one day. (Her baby is just a few weeks old now) “I am excited to give my child this perspective on death that isn’t about sadness but about celebrating life and honoring our ancestors by keeping their memory alive.”

Gael Garcia-Bernal who lent his voice to "Hector" chimed and mentioned that to him this is an important film for children growing up in a political climate where they can hear people in power say negative things about people who look like them and that he hopes this film “empowers them to see beyond that narrative and be proud of who they are.”

The film opens nationwide on November 21st. Check for theater times and purchase tickets here. 

8 Binge Worthy Television Shows To Watch this Holiday Season

Now that the weather is a little cloudy, it’s the perfect time to cozy up with a blanket for some rest and relaxation and some good television! We encourage you to take advantage of the short days and put the kids to bed a little early to catch these binge worthy shows. Just remember don't stay up too late because the kids will get up early no matter what!  

There is something for everyone on this list.

Handmaid’s Tale: This one had us the edge of our seats the whole time! Based on Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name, this show has been one of Hulu’s biggest hits this year. It tells the story of a totalitarian society that takes over the United States through the eyes of a woman forced into living life as a “handmaid.” Season 2 is coming in the Spring of 2018 but you can catch Season 1 on Hulu.

Game of Thrones: It might take you a while to watch all 7 seasons of this HBO medieval fantasy filled with intrigue, and drama but it is well worth your while. Sure there’s lots of names to remember but the story and cinematics will capture you immediately. The last season is coming sometime in 2018 so you have plenty of time to catch up!

Pretty Little Lies: This show gives us a great glimpse of the life of some interesting Super Mamas but it also has a big mystery at the heart of it that comes with some surprising twists. We love seeing a show with so many cool women at the forefront. We love seeing complicated women trying to figure out motherhood, love and careers. Get ready for some playground drama with this one. Catch Season 1 on HBO

El Chapo: If you liked Narcos you will love this series which is dramatization of the real rise and fall of Mexico’s most notorious drug lord El Chapo Guzman. This biographical thriller co-produced by Univision released a second season earlier this year. You can catch it on Netlfix.

Club de Cuervos: This was Netflix’s first Spanish language show and it’s like the novelas we grew up watching except you can’t watch it with the kids are around. It tells the story of two siblings who inherit a soccer team after the death of their father. It has intrigue, soccer rivalries and so much more fun. Catch all 3 seasons on Netflix.

The Defiant Ones: If you need some inspiration to get out there and build your dreams this is for you! This HBO mini-series tells the series of the unexpected partnership between Dr. Dre and and Producer Jimmy Iovine. They take us from their beginnings with some of music legends like NWA, and Patty Smith to their ground breaking partnership with Apple. Seriously, this was one of our favorite things and we might just watch it again to get us pumped for 2018.

Veep: Politics lately can be quite depressing and so we like to balance our hard reality with some political fun courtesy of this HBO hit. The show tells the story of Selina Meyer who becomes VP and later the first female president of the United States. Her staff is hilarious and show us a side of politics we don’t often see. Get ready to LOL.

This Is Us: Unless you have been living under a rock lately you have definitely heard of this show. We haven’t stopped crying since the show started. It’s just a perfect watch for those of us deep in the trenches of motherhood and life. It shows the up’s and down’s of the Pearson triplets as they go through various stages of their lives. We won’t tell you more because we really want you to watch it! The second season is currently airing weekly NBC and you can catch the replays on Hulu.

Tell us your favorite shows in the comment section!

SISTER SPOTLIGHT: MODERN FIESTA, THAISHA PEREZ

Photos Courtesy of Thaisha Perez

Welcome to our monthly Sister Spotlight! We are excited to share with you the stories of the inspiring women who make up our Super Mama Squad! If you would like to be featured or would like to nominate someone to be featured please email us at hello@supermamas.com

Thaisha Perez is the founder of Modern Fiesta an online party supply store which features a curated selection of party decor. Thaisha is also a non-profit professional in the education field. She is raising her family in Oceanside, California. Her life is very busy these days as she works her job during the day, spends time with her daughter in the evenings and works on her business after her daughter falls asleep.

“I would listen to the Super Mamas podcast every morning and hearing from all these women who started their own business while being moms helped me know that I could do it too! “

Many great business begin when people find a gap in the market and this one is no exception. The shop was born when Thaisha started planning parties for her own baby girl. She found that stores were missing cute and curated pieces. She realized that many moms wanted unique decor that couldn’t be found in most online and brick and mortar shops.

Never underestimate the power of a Super Mama on a mission! She started her business with $1000.00. She bought her domain, set up a website, and bought products from all over the world to sell in her U.S based store.

She told us, "It’s important to celebrate, even if it’s only day, the memories are going to last forever. The person you are celebrating will appreciate that special day." 

"With everything going on in the world it’s important that we carve out opportunities for joy."

Her goal is to open a brick and mortar shop and expand her online store in the near future.

Of course, we also had to talk about parties!

Her daughter’s birthday parties always inspire Thaisha to create beautiful things and purchase amazing party decor and supplies! For her daughter’s second birthday she chose a Safari Theme complete with pony rides, and reptiles! She’s already deep into planning her daughter’s 4th birthday next January. 

She shared with us her best tips for a successful birthday:

1. Pick A Theme: Pick ideas from Pinterest but don’t feel like you have to do it all. Think about the child and their unique preferences. Don’t be afraid to get creative.

2. Budget: Pick featured items to splurge on. Thaisha likes to splurge on cake and centerpieces and tables.

3. Decor Trends: Unicorns are huge for children's birthdays, Boho theme is big for baby showers

4. Use color. Purple and gold are huge, so you can make a theme out of colors too.

Check out Thaisha’s online store at ModernFiesta.Com and on social @modernfiesta. 

We are always so inspired by our amazing Super Mamas! Don't forget to nominate your favorite Super Mama to be featured by emailing us at hello@supermamas.com. 

Simple Emergency Preparedness

Emergency preparedness has been on everyone’s minds lately. But it can be hard to know where to start. It’s essential that parents have emergency kits, and plans in place in case the worst occurs. We put together a list of quick tips to be ready in case of an earthquake, hurricane, or other disaster.

 We also want to incorporate our kiddos into our plans. Prioritize establishing a communication plan for your family. If you are not at home when the emergency hits, where will you meet after? Explain to your kids what will happen if something happens while they are at school or with their babysitter. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends establishing a family communication plan and talk to your children about what will happen during an earthquake, or another disaster. You can download their kit here.

Once you have that out of the way, we recommend you put together an emergency kit, for your home and a portable one for your car.

Lucky for you, one of our amazing listeners, photographer Alejandra Rodriguez did all the hard work for you!

Here is her list of emergency kit essentials:

• Water - Bottles, pouches of water, or gallons (3 gallons per person) and or a LifeStraw which is a purification straw you can drink water through.

• Food - three days’ worth of nonperishable food: ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables and a can opener, protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola, peanut butter, dried fruit, canned juices, non-perishable pasteurized milk, high energy foods, food for infants, more food tips here

• Light - Wind-resistant matches, flashlight with extra batteries, tea candles, or Black Diamond Headlamp

• Whistle - a basic whistle will do or this HEIMDALL Safety Whistle

• Dust mask - you can buy a pack

• First aid kit - this one is for 50 people

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities - something you can easily find in your garage

• Moist towelettes

• Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

• Paper maps of your area

• Scissors

• Duct tape

• Cash in all ones to easily pay for things since ATMs will not be working and people probably won't be able to make change

• Jackets, ponchos, and blankets

• Medications/ extra glasses or contact lenses/ Epi Pens for kids with allergies  

Tips:

• Always keep shoes near your bed so you can put them on during an earthquake to avoid stepping on broken glass and other objects.

• Have a pack in your homes and another in your cars.

• Have copies of important documents in your emergency kit or other safe place.

• Always have your car at at least half a tank. Gas stations shut down during these kind of emergencies.

• Develop a map of resources around where you live and work.

• Communicate with others about what you each will do to support one another in an emergency.

• Make sure you have access to important documents and if you trust the cloud, store copies there.

• Always keep your gas tank full in case you need to evacuate or if a long term emergency affects gasoline supplies. 

• You can also just order emergency kit on Amazon or Costco!

Follow Alejandra on Instagram @junesoulbyali and check out her amazing photography here www.junesoulbyali.com

Tips for A Healthy Halloween from America's ToothFairy!

Halloween is a time of fun and celebration but momma’s can get a little anxious about the amount of sweets that kids consume this time of year. And with good reason, did you know that children between the ages of 2-8 consume the most candy on Halloween? 

While we want to definitely enjoy the holiday with our kids, we want to make sure they have healthy teeth for years to come. Tooth decay affects many children in our community. Not only is this a painful condition, but in many cases, it also affects their lifestyle and school performance (children with poor oral health are 3 times more likely to miss school as a result of dental pain).

We reached out to America’s ToothFairy to get the scoop on how to set healthy boundaries with our kids. She wasn’t available, as she has a lot of children to visit, so we spoke with her official representative, Madeleine Ritchey, America's ToothFairy's spokesperson and dental hygienist. She has partnered with America's ToothFairy: National Children's Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) an organization that works to increase access to oral health care by supporting non-profit clinics and community partners delivering education, prevention and treatment services for underserved children.  

She answered a few of parent's top concerns below! 

1. How can parents set healthy boundaries around Halloween candy consumption?

Balance is key! Instead of denying treats at Halloween, we recommend parents to teach their children about moderation. For example, parents can limit the consumption of candy to once a day during the Halloween season, as well as the number of sweets to one – instead of many at the same time.

2. How should we set limits at various ages?  The younger your children are, the more you should teach them about moderation and positive oral health behaviors for a lifetime healthy smile. We've found that the majority of parents (87%) do not limit candy consumption at home and, as a result, two-to eight-year old kids are the ones that consume most candies on Halloween.

3. The majority of our listeners have children who are in the toddler and preschool phase, how much candy should kids be allotted at this age?

For a healthy smile, I’d recommend replacing candy for sugar-free snacks, fruit, cheese or yogurt. For those parents that would like to treat their children with candies we suggest:

• Choosing dark chocolate which contains less sugar than other candies and has health benefits - such as being a wonderful antioxidant.

• Having their kids drink water while eating candy. Water will keep them hydrated and help remove food residues from the mouth, preventing the proliferation of bacteria that can cause cavities.

• Encouraging their children to eat some cheese or drink milk after eating candy will help neutralize the acids left by food and prevent cavities and tooth erosion.

• And of course brushing their teeth and flossing is the best advice.

4. How do we politely address friends/family on the subject of candy limits?

At America’s ToothFairy, we know that children want delicious, while parents want to provide what’s good for them. For that reason, we encourage them to promote moderation at home, regardless of their age.  Today, there are also many alternative, healthy options for our teeth that parents can choose to satisfy their kids preferences, such as sugar-free lollipops or gums, no sugar added applesauce, prepacked snacks, among others. Products made with natural sugar, such as Xylitol, are also good options for your children’s smiles.

Sharing this information with family and friends will be beneficial to our kids and will help creating more awareness about oral health in our community.

We are so grateful to America's ToothFairy for sharing her tips with us!

Below you can find more information about NCOHF! 

About the Organization: Founded in 2006, America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) Work hard to educate families about dental health and increase access to dental services. The America’s ToothFairy Southern California Oral Health Zone (SoCal OHZ) program focuses on improving children’s oral health outcomes through education and community engagement initiatives in Los Angeles and Orange County. The SoCal OHZ program supports more than 300,000 children and caregivers in the area with oral health education and resources every year.

Check out their website, Instagram, and Facebook to learn more!

Photo: Shutterstock

 

How To Start A Podcast

The Super Mamas Guide to launching your own podcast in 8 easy steps. 

When we started Super Mamas back in 2015, we didn’t know much about podcasting, but we loved the idea of being able to share our stories about parenting, and womanhood with people from all walks of life. Two years later, we are so happy we took on this adventure.  We've received many emails asking us for our own tips on how to start their one podcast.   We know it can seem overwhelming, so we put together our tips to how you too can create your own podcast.  So great ready to press record and begin this wonderful podcasting journey with us!

Prep Work-

Develop a concept for your show. What topics do you want to cover? Are you doing an interview show? Will you have local guests or remote guests? How often will you release an episode? What is the length of your show? We are big advocates of doing a weekly show since this helps you create rapport with your audience, and gets you into the groove of recording. This is like a new mini-job you are taking on so make sure that you adjust your schedule accordingly. We recommend you pick a day of the week to release your episodes and be consistent about that schedule. This is also a good time to find background, or theme music for your show. Here is a site where you can free music to download.

Step 1- Name & Artwork

Whatever image you choose needs to be about 1,400 x 1,400 pixels (3,000 x 3,000 pixels maximum). We suggest you find a local designer who could help you with the design and branding of your podcast. You can find helpful info regarding artwork here. We suggest is that you don’t use the word ‘podcast’ in your name. Like us, our show is called “Super Mamas” the word ‘podcast’ isn’t on the title.  It just seems a bit redundant given that it is already listed on a podcasting app. I mean, it’s not like Television shows have the word “show” at the end of every tittle, right?

Step 2- Equipment 

Sound quality is one of the most important elements of your podcast. Your content can be amazing but if your sound quality is poor, it makes it less likely that they will come back for more.

Here are the essentials:

• MICROPHONE: This is the one we like that is also affordable for most podcasters and is a great option that even major podcasters use. But you can also invest in other microphones like this one that we purchased for our guests.  The microphones we use for Super Mamas is this one

• HEADPHONES: We highly recommend you invest in a good pair of headphones and don’t just use your regular Iphone buds. Why? Because these will help you listen to the quality of sound when you record. They will also help you listen any echo, or noise pollution that will affect your final product. They will also be useful for editing. These are the ones we use HD 280 Pro.

• LAPTOP: You will need a computer to edit, and upload your episode to a host, and set up your podcast.

Things That Are Nice to Have But Not Required:

MIXER: A mixer is not required but this is how we combine audio when we are recording multiple people. Higher quality microphones can be plugged directly into your mixer. Here’s a site that explains other reasons to consider a mixer.

POP-FILTER -A pop filter is just as the name implies, something that you place in front of your microphone to prevent harsh sounds from penetrating your audio. Here is the one we use.

DIGITAL RECORDER-You can use this to record at events or to record guest when traveling. Here is the one we use.  

Here is a video where one of the experts we like talks about equipment: Watch here

Mixer and pop-filter seen here

Step 3- Record! 

If possible, choose a quiet environment to record. Large spaces and high ceilings can create an echo. Test your sound before doing a full recording. Be patient, you got this! 

We use garageband to record. We suggest you get a USB microphone that can plug directly into your computer or if you have a mixer your microphones will connect to your mixer, which you will then connect to your computer through the USB outlet. Think about the format of your show and how many microphones you will need. Here is a really good YouTube video that explains more about recording on Garageband and putting your show together:

How To Record TUTORIAL: Watch here

Step 4- Edit 

Garageband allows you to edit your recording and listen to any things you might want to erase. For example, long pauses, or background noises. You can also mix in music at this time and create your introduction. Again, don’t overthink this! It’s okay if your first episode isn’t perfect. In terms of editing and production. Be patient. It will take some time, but once you get the hang of it you will wonder why you didn’t start sooner. Here are some tips to get you started with editing.

Step 5- Choose A Podcast Host

Think of this as the place where your podcast lives. From here it will stream on places like Apple Podcasts, Spotify and others. We chose to host ours with a Soundcloud account but you can choose other services like Podomatic. With Soundcloud we recommend you start with a free account and upgrade to “Pro” once you see a need for more stats and upload time. Remember that the most important piece of information here is the RSS Feed.  Don’t get scared by the name. It’s basically just a URL you need to copy and paste in iTunes. 

*EDIT* - Most recently, we have migrated our hosting to Libsyn. Their customer service is superb and they can help in getting your show published in Youtube, Spotify and even iHeartRadio! 

This link is your RSS feed. Make sure to also check privacy settings to make sure your RSS is public that's how it will update with Itunes and other streaming services.

Step 6- Open your account on iTunes

On the main Podcast iTunes page you will see a link that says “submit podcast”.  It will take you 3 minutes to do this.  It is so easy.  All it will ask you for is your Apple ID, some basic info about your show and the RSS feed code  (you will get this from Soundcloud).  However, it does take up to 7 days for iTunes to approve your podcast link.  But just be patient.  

This is where you enter your RSS feed to have your podcast stream on Itunes.

Step 7- Upload  

We suggest you upload your first episode on soundcloud prior to you getting your account approved on iTunes.  That way once it is approved, you already have an episode published.  BUT, don’t promote it until it is already on iTunes. it will just be easier for people to find you that way. You can stream it on various places like Spotify and Stitcher.

Step 8- Promote Your Episode

Tell your friends and family about your new project. Use your social media channels to promote. Encourage people who do listen to leave you a review and subscribe. Create social media channels for your podcast, and if you want to go the extra step, purchase the domain for it.

If you have more questions don’t hesitate to ask! We are always here to support our sisters in making their dreams come true.